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I never pass up the chance to visit great hotels. It’s most certainly the best perk I’ve experienced as a writer. My sons have had the opportunity to be pampered at some of Chicago’s best locations. But I have to admit, one of the city’s oldest hotels holds a special spot in my heart.

I originally wrote this story for the June 2012 issue of Chicago Parent. I have added more personal stories and pictures for this post.

Stepping into Chicago’s Palmer House Hilton is like stepping back in time. This hotel’s walls have seen the city’s booms and recessions, its glamour and its vice. Just walking the halls, looking at photos and reading plaques can give visitors a sense of Chicago’s last 100 years. But actually staying as a guest envelops you in another era, a time when Chicago’s Loop was THE spot for dignitaries and Hollywood elite.

Palmer House treated my family to an elegant overnight this spring. While my husband and I are big fans of Potter’s Lounge, neither of us had ever stayed over as guests. While we checked in, our sons marveled at the ornate decor and the hotel’s grand scale. They immediately climbed the stairs to watch us from the balcony-which is how they spotted the lobby’s iPads. This juxtaposition of old and new allowed me to sit back and imagine myself as Jane Russell while they sat back comforted by Internet access.

The same was true once we entered our gorgeous suite. The furnishings have a very Art Deco feel (a chaise lounge in the living room), but all the latest technology. They were docking iPods before I had unzipped the suitcase. The hotel had booked us in a gorgeous suite with an adjoining room for the boys so we all had plenty of space. Palmer House has, in fact, modernized and renovated much of the hotel for guests’ comfort. We truly could have hosted a cocktail party for 40 people in our suite with the enormous table and wet bar. Instead, we spread out and enjoyed the view.

in the executive elevator

We were excited to use our “Executive Privileges” (well worth the additional nightly cost) so we headed toward the special executive elevator. My older sons were over the moon with excitement about the keyed elevator with its etched mirrors and folding bench. Who doesn’t like to feel special? $60 is a small price to pay for the privilege of a private elevator and access to the fully stocked Executive Lounge. On Saturday we arrived in time for the cocktail hour with hot and cold appetizers as well as unlimited sodas & waters. After exploring the Lounge’s nooks & crannies, the boys settled in at the computers while my husband & I settled in with drinks and gorgeous views.

In the Lounge and in the halls, my husband and I kept stopping at the dramatic photos of the superstars who had stayed or entertained at the Palmer House back in the day, from Rat Packers to Benny Goodman and Jack Benny. I had no trouble imagining us back in the day, dressed in our finest attire, out for a swanky evening in the city.

With all the hotel’s amenities (including the intimate pool and state-of-the-art gym/spa), I would have been content to never leave. After a delicious and satisfying complimentary breakfast buffet in the Executive Lounge, we spent the morning at the pool. The hotel’s late check-out time gave us more time to explore the hotel’s ground floor, its famous peacock doors and the lobby’s ceiling mural.

poolside in January. Palmer House Hilton.

In fact, a month or so after our visit I sent a message to Palmer House that my nine year-old had been asking me to return to the “peacock door hotel.” The management responded with a kind note and a small stuffed peacock. He was, of course, thrilled with the special present. I was thrilled that he remembered such a lovely detail from our visit. Not every mom gets to offer those kinds of memories as a part of her job.

We definitely return to Palmer House for a night in the City.

Disclosure: My family was not charged for our stay at Palmer House and I was paid by Chicago Parent to write the article. I sometimes receive complimentary services and gifts, but I choose to write only about places I believe will be good for my readers. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

To see the original version of this story plus more of my adventures with my sons, please visit Chicago Parent.

Yesterday, I had my first real taste of summer in Chicago. I chaperoned a field trip with my two oldest. Based around Navy Pier, we took a boat tour and learned more about the city’s rich architectural history. It was one of those perfect days.

We are in the midst of my sons’ Spring Break, which has involved no travel further than a few miles. As much as I (and they) appreciate being in our jammies until Noon, the very idea of break has me thinking about heading out of town. We’ve taken some great trips in the midwest and plan to take many more. In that spirit, here’s a link to a story I wrote for the Going Places Travel issue.

Easter and Passover are upon us. For me, these are the true Hallmarks of Spring. With the streak of warm weather Chicago had last month, plants are in bloom and it’s time to take in some color. I wrote about just that topic in this month’s Chicago Parent.

Matthew has transformed (suddenly, it seemed to me) from a child terrified of water to a virtual fish.

Over our weekend at Lake Geneva’s Timber Ridge Waterpark, we told him of years when he wouldn’t enter the water. He simply could not believe he was ever afraid of anything, but I explained how he would very cautiously investigate the fountains in the zero-depth pool, but would not want to get splashed or submerge himself. Then there was the year he finally submitted to going into the “big” pool, but only securely in his dad’s arms. Mine were, apparently, not strong enough.

Now we can’t get him out. He dives, swims, tumbles and splashes like he was born to it. Where did my little boy go?